Child Abuse

ARTICLE

Child Sexual Abuse: Consequences and Implications
Gail Hornor, RNC, MS, PNP
ABSTRACT
Sexual abuse is a problem of epidemic proportions in the United States. Given the sheer numbers of sexually abused children, it is vital for pediatric nurse practitioners to understand both short-term and long-term consequences of sexual abuse. Understanding consequences of sexual abuse can assist the pediatric nurse practitioner in anticipating the physical and mental health needs of patients and also may assist in the identification of sexual abuse victims. Sexual abuse typically does not occur in isolation. Implications for practice will be discussed. J Pediatr Health Care. (2010) 24, 358-364.

KEY WORDS
Sexual abuse consequences

Sexual abuse is a problem of epidemic proportions in the United States. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2008) states that nearly 80,000 American children were victims of sexual abuse in 2006. Based on retrospective studies of adults, it is estimated that only 1 in 20 cases of sexual abuse is identified by or reported to authorities (Kellogg, 2005). Given the sheer numbers of sexually abused children, both detected and undetected, it is vital for pediatric nurse practi-

Gail Hornor, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Columbus, OH Conflicts of interest: None to report. Correspondence: Gail Hornor, RNC, MS, PNP, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Center for Child and Family Advocacy, 655 East Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH 43205; e-mail: gail.hornor@ nationwidechildrens.org. 0891-5245/$36.00 Copyright Q 2010 by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2009.07.003

tioners (PNPs) to understand both short-term and long-term consequences of sexual abuse. Understanding the consequences of sexual abuse can assist the PNP in anticipating the physical and mental health needs of children and also may assist in

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Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 11, 315-334. 364 Volume 24 Number 6 Journal of Pediatric Health Care